Help Selecting a Raspberry PI

No on 09/05/2016 - 16:51

Hi all,

I would like to try out the following application: https://pimatic.org/

Its a home automation platform which is designed for the Raspberry PI. I know there are many other home automation type packages but this one has a plugin I need so it has to be this one. I tried running a Ubuntu virtual machine but was unable to work out how to install npm which seems to be the package manager used by pimatic.

So given the low cost I might as well just buy a PI. Can anyone suggestion which one would be suitable for me? and if you know of any going cheap that would be great too!

Thanks

Computing

Comments

  • fenric on 09/05/2016 - 18:40
    +2

    Don't get the Model A+. Only having one USB port is pretty limiting, also the power regulation on that model is pretty average. Might as well get the Model 3, there is not much of a cost difference. The Element14 website has free shipping if you spend over $50 and they have all the other gear like enclosures and matched power supplies.
    Also, you used to have to be careful picking an memory card for them due to compatibility issues. Not sure if that has improved or not.

  • scrimshaw on 09/05/2016 - 18:55
    +1

    You can customize your own RPi3 kit from ITEAD
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/245044

    Not sure if deal is still valid or not.

    If you ONLY need the Pi3 and an enclousure because you have everything else, it's cheaper to buy directly from Aliexpress for $44 USD minus a 5% if login using Cashrewards (around $41 USD).

    http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2016-new-Raspberry-PI-model-3…

    I went with this and got my Pi in around 2 weeks, so the shipping was pretty quick (for Aliexpress standards, anyway). You get to choose from 4 different type of enclosures and you will also get a set of heatsinks to stick on.

    The SD card I used was an old 16GB Verbatim MicroSD i had lying around and for mass storage I used a 32GB Samsung Fit USB3.0 drive.

    Power supply is a 'Moki' dual port charger that I got from Woolworths, it can supply 2.4 amps which is more than enough for the Pi.

    • No on 10/05/2016 - 13:55

      Thanks. When you say if I only need the Pi3 and enclosure because I have everything else what else would I need to be up and running? Is it just the power supply?

    • No on 10/05/2016 - 14:17

      Also is Raspberry Pi3 fast enough to play media from websites (i.e tenplay 7plus iview and 9 catch up)? If it is capable of running these it will make it a lot easier to justify purchasing one. Thanks!

      • fenric on 10/05/2016 - 17:00
        +1

        Yep, Iview definitely, the others may require a bit more fiddling. I ran the model A as a media centre with XBMC (now KODI) for my parents. Just plug in a thumbdrive or portable HDD :)
        Just make sure you have a higher powered charger/power cable for it. Most older phone chargers (if you are recycling) dont have enough umph. From memory you need minimum 5v 1.2 amp supply (worth double checking that for the new model)

        • scrimshaw on 10/05/2016 - 21:06
          +1

          The "power budget" for Pi3B was posted as: 1A for the SoC/RAM, 0.3A for WiFi/BT, and 1.2A for full powered to USB.

          You may ask: 2.5 amps is a lot! that's because you also have to factor what is plugged into the Pi's USB ports — it's got 4 of them and a single portable drive can pull 2A from a connector.

          It’s important to understand that the 2.5A is specified to work in pretty much all circumstances you can think of. But in many cases, a bit less will be OK, depending on what you’ve got plugged into your Pi.

          I would try and find a tablet charger that can supply at least 2 amps. But try not to use all four USB ports unless you have full 2.5amp power supply (this can be bought for just $15 AUD).

        • No on 11/05/2016 - 11:26

          @scrimshaw: Thanks scrimshaw. I ordered the aliexpress one you linked. I have plenty of microsd cards and 2.5 USB chargers, hopefully I don't need anything else.

        • No on 23/05/2016 - 20:13

          @scrimshaw: Hey, I got my pi. There are 3 heatsinks included but I could only find places to put 2 of them. Do you know what the third one is?

        • scrimshaw on 23/05/2016 - 21:00

          @daveaus:

          Underneath my friend

          http://i.imgur.com/nLPnEfi.jpg

        • No on 23/05/2016 - 21:14

          @scrimshaw: Thank you :)

        • Rorschach on 16/07/2016 - 22:04

          @scrimshaw:
          I know this thread is ages old, hopefully you still follow this.
          Did the casing they send you fit alright?
          My top cover slots seems to be messed up.

        • scrimshaw on 16/07/2016 - 22:15

          @Rorschach:

          Yeah, it works fine. I didn't know how to assemble it and I put several cracks into the interlocking fingers… but for the most part it works fine.

        • Rorschach on 17/07/2016 - 10:44

          @scrimshaw:
          Ah, ok!
          This is what mine looks like atm.

        • scrimshaw on 17/07/2016 - 11:53
          +1

          @Rorschach:

          That looks very odd. One of your 'side' walls is probably upside down, or the wrong way around.

          You can watch this video on how to put it together.

          https://youtu.be/8_OXeZBjDuA?t=179

        • Rorschach on 17/07/2016 - 13:55

          @scrimshaw:
          Ah, had realised that after looking at the pic a couple of times, need to get home in the evening and flip the side wall around!
          Thanks mate!

  • dazweeja on 17/05/2016 - 17:37

    If you can open a terminal, installing npm on Ubuntu is just a few commands:

    http://www.hostingadvice.com/how-to/install-nodejs-ubuntu-14…

    Edit: I see you've ordered but something to play around with until it arrives ;)

    • No on 17/05/2016 - 17:50

      Thanks! That worked. I spent ages trying to get npm working, after following those instructions I can't believe I had so many problems before. Oh well :)

  • ulun-lpg on 17/07/2016 - 21:23

    recommended to go with Pi 2 or 3. if it doesnt work well, make it a media player or piratebox :)
    i have raspi3 running homeassistant.io (another home automation) and works really well. in the same box, it is also running sonarr tv, couchpotato, transmission, sabnzbd, webmin, ubooquity (ebook server).
    they all run happily next to each other.

  • quietsarcasm on 19/07/2016 - 12:30

    So, after seeing the nintendo box on ozgameshop this morning, I'm looking to make an emulation station following this:

    http://lifehacker.com/how-to-turn-your-raspberry-pi-into-a-r…

    Is there anything I should know before I get started (not very knowledgable so thanks in advance)

    • tre180 on 20/07/2016 - 12:25

      Haha, me too. Just ordered my Pi, power supply and SNES controllers. I'm going to follow this guide from the RetroPie subreddit https://howchoo.com/g/n2qyzdk5zdm/build-your-own-raspberry-p…

      • quietsarcasm on 20/07/2016 - 13:11

        Where did you order from?

        I would probably go for the aliexpress listing since it seems like the best deal, but it doesn't include a power supply. Is there a specific kind of power supply it needs?

        • No on 20/07/2016 - 15:59

          I am using a 2amp Samsung charger without any problems. The only usb device I am using is a mouse so I don't know if you'll need something else if you are using more of the usb ports.

        • quietsarcasm on 20/07/2016 - 16:22

          @daveaus:

          Thanks for the reply. That is actually what I was considering using since I have a spare one.

          I also saw this as a reasonably cost effective solution but was a bit wary of it since it is just an unbranded Chinese power supply.

          http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AC-Converter-Adapter-DC-5V-3A-Pow…

          I suppose the best way to find out is just to test it when it arrives.

  • tre180 on 20/07/2016 - 14:19

    Ordered locally off ebay cos i'm impatient, was $70 for the Pi and a Power Supply. Then ordered two controllers for $11.50 on ebay. From what I gathered reading up on it last night, the Pi 3 needs a little more juice than previous versions so you're safer getting the correct power supply. More info here: https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=63&t=1386…

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